If it wasn't scary it would be hillarious

We were skiing with the kids a week ago.  It was a great time.  They all learned how to ski, and I had Emmett strapped to my chest.

Actually, I'm very proud of the fact that I never fell skiing over the two days, which included all of the double black diamonds on the mountain (probably more like blues out west), even though it was only my second time skiing in 17 years.  I don't remember when else I skied since high school, but I think it happened once.

But the reason I wrote this entry was because of the innocent statements Tyler makes.  They learned on a bunny hill, which they could navigate very well.  As a challenge we would go on "Novice," which was much steeper.  It was hard for them to slow down.  When Nyle insisted on going with us, I held his hand the whole way down and pulled him to a stop frequently.  It took all my attention, so I couldn't help Lydia or Tyler.  Lydia was fine, but Tyler had a hard time.  There were some ravines and ponds on both sides of the path, which had made me nervous the first time down with them, though I kept it to myself.  After we were done and talking with Mom, I asked how he made it down without me.  He said, "Well, it was hard, and I almost went off the path, but good thing I didn't fall in that lake... or I'd be dead."

Nyle loves to copy Tyler

Tyler is really Nyle's favorite person.  He follows him all day, mimics him, tries to get him excited about what's for dinner or dessert, and always tries to participate in the conversations and story telling.  Tyler takes it for granted and often treats Nyle like an annoyance.  He sometimes even uses Nyle as a sparing partner.  I've been working hard on getting Tyler to treat Nyle better.

Tyler's Christmas with Wii

Tyler was so set on getting a Wii for Christmas.  It's the only thing he asked for from Santa.  And he was sure he was getting it.  I feel a little ashamed that Santa didn't give it to him.  But it wasn't something that we thought the whole family wanted right now, and it's too big a gift for one person (who really just wants it for Mario), so he got the expansion to Starcraft II instead (Heart of the Swarm).

Tyler is not one to hold on to hurt feelings, so he was off playing Starcraft all day and only mentioned his preference for the Wii when I probed him about it.  But there was a little bit of heart-break for me watching him that morning.  Leading up to Christmas he was so sure he was getting the Wii.  It wasn't even a question.  Then on Christmas morning he was literally hopping up and down as he circled the Christmas tree searching and saying "where's my Wii, where's my Wii?"